MONKS ORCHARD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Croydon (Non Party) (Independent) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

NEWSLETTER – SPRING 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

NOTICE OF 75th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THE 1999 MORA AGM will be held on Friday March 26th at 8.00 P.M. St. George's Church Hall - Elstan Way, Shirley.

Nominations (in writing) for the Executive & Committee Members must be received by the Vice Chairman by Friday 12th March 1999

All nominations must have a Proposer and a Seconder with the full agreement of the nominee.

Minutes of the unadopted 1998 (74rd) AGM were published in the Summer 1998 Newsletter further copies will be available at the meeting.

___ Page 1 ____

AGENDA 1998 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1 Apologies for absence

2 Minutes of the 1998 Annual General Meeting

3 Matters Arising

4 To receive and adopt the 1998/99 Annual Reports and Accounts

5 To Elect Officers and Committee for 1999/2000

7 Any Other Business

8 Visiting Speakers – Ms Elizabeth Hill, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer, Police Station.

Visiting Speaker

Ms Elizabeth Hill, is the Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer, South Norwood Police Station. At the AGM she would like to talk about how Neighbourhood Watch can be incorporated within a Residents’ Association and how they compliment each other in creating a caring community. Ms Hill would also like to talk about the training package for Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

Ms Hill will open up the debate and ask for questions from members.

NEWSLETTER COPY DATES

Any contributions for future newsletters should be with the Editor by the following dates at the latest. The earlier copy is received the more chance of its inclusion as the total copy must result in a multiple of 4 pages. Next Issue – April 16th, June 11th , September 17th and November 12th.

___ Page 2 ____

CROYDON ROTARY CLUB SWIMATHON

The Croydon Rotary Swimathon will take place on Sunday 9th May at Trinity School from 9.00 a.m. onwards with all sponsorship money going towards local charities.

This is a fun event and does not require exceptional swimming abilities. It is open to swimmers of all ages. Teams of between one and six people swim in relay for a total of 30 minutes.

Application forms are available from Jonathan (Joe) Baxter on .

Things have been relatively quiet on the planning front in the Ward since the last newsletter. For the first time since Owen Whalley became the honorary planning officer nine years ago, there were no recorded planning application at all in December. Normal service has been resumed in January and February but all the new applications have been for domestic extensions and alterations which MORA tends not to get involved with unless requested to do by anxious neighbours.

One such case occurred at the end of last year when a conservatory was proposed in a back garden intended to enclose a swimming pool. MORA made representations on the basis that the proposal was not domestic in scale and would be out of keeping with the area as well as affecting the amenity of adjoining occupiers. The Council took the same view and the application has been refused.

___ Page 3 ____ There are still a number of outstanding issues in the Ward which are affecting MORA members. These include the proposed residential development at the rear of Woodmere Avenue and Round Grove, the redevelopment of the H.W.West site on Shirley Road, and a proposal for eight new houses at the rear of nos.71-73 Shirley Avenue taking access from Primrose Lane.

SHIRLEY OAKS TREE NURSERY UPDATE

The Cemetery

Still no news! We must wait until March for the second bore hole tests to determine water table levels are known. There was a flurry of excitement before Christmas when it was rumoured that the site had changed hands and that the new owner wanted a limited residential scheme on the Poppy Lane frontage with the bulk of the site being used as a nature reserve. This would have caused planning policy problems and in any event seems to have just been speculation.

The Nature Reserve

The Council is still considering the Shirley Oaks Residents’ Association’s proposals to develop the site as a nature reserve. MORA is actively supporting and assisting with this well researched and cogently argued planning application which proposes that the site be used as a reserve for plants and animals. The Council is still concerned about car parking and has suggested that with the provision of a small car park on the site, officers may be prepared to recommend the scheme for approval.

The Executive Committee continues to hope that MORA members will support this exciting and sustainable initiative which could provide a lasting project to commemorate the Millennium. If you haven’t already done so, please write and express your support for this scheme. Letters should be addressed to Mr.John Rawlinson at the Council at the address given above, quoting the reference number 98/2161/P.

___ Page 4 ____

BP GARAGE LATEST

Still no planning application from B.P. to formalise it annexation of part of the garden of the adjoining property which it also owns at the vacant and boarded up 181 Shirley Road. The Company makes no secret of its plan to enlarge the petrol filling station and shop and sell the house. There has been some welcome albeit belated relief for the adjoining occupier. At last a fence has been erected across the vacant property to restrict access to the rear garden. MORA still believes that the Company is behaving very shabbily to the anxious occupier of this beleaguered property.

BOWLS

Would you like to learn to play the friendly game of Bowls – on a quiet privet green, not far from High Street? Bowls Club has vacancies for men and ladies who are either novices or experienced players.

❖ Friendly and congenial atmosphere. ❖ Full equality for both sexes – No restrictions on playing hours for ladies! ❖ Qualified instruction. ❖ Competition Bowling available as well as casual play. ❖ Social events regularly arranged. ❖ Easy and Free Parking.

If you are interested and would like to know more, contact Janet Neale, Tel:

___ Page 5 ____

SECURITY MATTERS

I would like to take this occasion to highlight a growing trend of the theft of computers. Generally, we tend to think of this crime as affecting only the business community. However, as time goes by, we are increasingly purchasing computers for our home use which, in turn, have become the main target for burglars. May I remind MORA members that the main risk is not the CHIP thief. It is more likely that the opportunist burglar will take the whole computer. A good security method here would be a locking plate. This secures the computer to the desk/work station.

Beware of being offered a cheap second hand computer if you don’t know its history! How would you feel if your computer was stolen? Remember, if the burglar cannot sell it on he will not be keen to steal it in the first place. By refusing suspicious goods, you are helping to reduce theft.

There are a number of ways to mark your computer and its components both visibly and invisibly. Efforts to remove markings usually deface the equipment thereby reducing its attraction to a thief.

MONDAY POLICE SURGERY : 10:30 – noon at St George’s Church, Elstan Way, Shirley. Any resident is welcome to come along and bend my ear about local, non-urgent problems.

Jonathan Smith – Beat officer Monks Orchard Addington Police station

___ Page 6 ____ SHIRLEY GROUP OF CHURCHES

On Good Friday, there will be a silent procession of Witness along Wickham Road, starting at the Methodist Church at 9.00 am, arriving at West Wickham and Shirley Baptist Church, at 9.35, and returning to the Methodist Church by 10.10am, in time for those who wish to go to services. You are invited to join us on route.

There will also be an Easter Sunrise Service at Shirley Hills Viewpoint, at 6.30am.

Jubilee 2000 – an international campaign calling for the cancellation of the unpayable debts of the poorest countries – is holding a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday 7th March, at 5.30 pm, led by the Bishop of London and ending with a procession to the Treasury. For further details, and to travel with a party, phone . Also, there will be an event in Croydon on April 25th, and a demonstration at the G8 leaders’ meeting in Cologne in June. Contact John Pritchard for details on .

Other dates and events include:

1st March St. David’s Day. 6th March Quiz Night at West Wickham and Shirley Baptist – 7.00pm. 12th March Hopes and Dreams at . 13th March Croydon Male Voice Choir at Methodist Church at 7.30pm in aid of Diabetes. Tickets £5 14th March St. John’s Church – Recorder Recital at 7.30pm. 17th March St. Patrick’s Day 20th March Jumble sale at Methodist Church 24th March Croydon Camera Club have a special ‘Royal’ press photographer giving an illustrated talk at 8.00pm at the Methodist Church – by ticket only from .

___ Page 7 ____

NOTICE OF SPECIAL REFUSE COLLECTIONS

FREE RUBBISH COLLECTION

Don’t miss this opportunity to be rid of all your unwanted rubbish that is not normally collected by the weekly Council collection.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:-

❖ Items for disposal must be put out at the front and CLEARLY IDENTIFIED for rubbish collection (to avoid confusion with items not required for disposal).

❖ Place as near to the footway as possible by 9.00 a.m. (Be sure not to obstruct the highway or footpath).

❖ Please assist in transferring rubbish to the rear of the vehicle, BUT DO NOT LOAD.

❖ Please be considerate with size and bulk of the items to avoid damage to the vehicle.

❖ Any TRADE or COMMERCIAL waste (including builders’ materials) WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.

❖ No paint, oil, or similar liquids.

❖ Acceptance of items will be at the Driver’s discretion.

❖ Large items, such as three-piece suites, washing machines, cookers, etc., can be collected by prior arrangement, for a charge. There is also a free fridge/freezer collection service, just phone .

___ Page 8 ____ PLEASE NOTE – THE ROUNDS HAVE CHANGED

Due to COST CUTTING by CROYDON COUNCIL, the rounds have had to be reduced. But we managed to keep SIX ROUNDS. There will only be ONE COLLECTION per YEAR, but the area for each round has been reduced.

The dates for the next Special Refuse collections service arranged by MORA are as follows on page 10:-

ROUND ONE: SUNDAY 6TH JUNE Dustcart meet at SHIRLEY AVE - Junct. with WICKHAM ROAD, down SHIRLEY AVE to SHIRLEY RD, up SHIRLEY RD, down BARNFIELD AVE, up VALLEY WALK, ELDON AVE, WICKHAM ROAD to ORCHARD AVE, down FIRSBY AVE, up VERDAYNE AVE, down RIDGEMOUNT AVE, up WICKHAM AVE, along WICKHAM ROAD to CHESTON AVE, PARKFIELDS; back to ORCHARD AVE (1-77/2-72) via WILKES GDNS, RUSSETT DRIVE, POTTERS CLOSE, then WOODLAND WAY, HIGH TREES.

ROUND TWO: SUNDAY 13TH JUNE Dustcart meet at CORNER of WOODMERE AVE/ORCHARD AVE, ELSTAN WAY, TOWER VIEW & EDGEWOOD GREEN, WOODMERE AVE, PIPERS GDNS, ROUND GROVE, MERE END, WOODMERE CLOSE, WOODMERE GDNS, GLADESIDE nos: to 1-49/2-48) LORNE GDNS & LORNE AVE.

ROUND THREE: SUNDAY 20th JUNE Dustcart meet at BYWOOD AVE, THE ROSERY, CHAFFINCH AVE, CHAFFINCH CLOSE, BROOKSIDE WAY, MEADOW AVE, GLADESIDE nos: 51-91/50-94 (as far as Lorne Avenue) via HOMER ROAD, GLADESIDE, FAIRHAVEN WAY, LAVENDAR WAY, GWYNNE AVE, GLENWOOD, MARDELL ROAD, LONGHEATH GDNS.

ROUND FOUR: SUNDAY 27TH JUNE Dustcart meet at corner ORCHARD WAY/BURREL CLOSE, ORCHARD WAY up to 45/84, via SLOANE WALK, BARONS WALK, BARONS CLOSE, KEMPTON WALK, REGENCY WALK, CASTLETON CLOSE, HAM VIEW, RADNOR WALK,

___ Page 9 ____ KELVINGTON CLOSE, OVERSTONE GDNS, CARRINGTON CLOSE.

ROUND FIVE: SUNDAY 4TH JULY Dustcart meet at the bottom of The Glade/Long Lane end; THE GLADE 72/109 (up to Greenview Ave) taking in OAK WAY, ALDERSMEAD AVE, STOKES ROAD, GREENVIEW AVE, ASHTREE WAY, taking in ASHTREE CLOSE, FAIRWAY CLOSE, FAIRFORD AVE, FAIRFORD CLOSE, OAKWAY, STONELEIGH PARK AVE.

ROUND SIX: SUNDAY 11TH JULY Dustcart meet at ORCHARD GROVE, LYCONBY GDNS, COVERACK CLOSE, ORCHARD RISE, OAKVIEW GROVE, PIPPIN CLOSE, FRESHFIELDS down ORCHARD AVE (from nos. 79-125/74-100), down THE GLADE (Nos. 1-70/2-107 as far as Greenview Avenue), via GLADE GDNS, CAMROSE CLOSE, DARLEY CLOSE.

TASTE 50 DIFFERENT WINES

At the Wines of the World Evening at SHIRLEY PARISH HALL

On the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 8.00 – 10.30pm.

For further details, call: , or

SPRING PARK CHORAL SOCIETY

Rehearsals at the SHIRLEY PARISH HALL on Monday from 8-10pm. All singers welcome From January - April, and September – November.

___ Page 10 ____ LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON – TREE WARDEN SCHEME

Trees add colour to the landscape, enhance parks and open spaces, encourage birds and other wildlife, provide shade and reduce noise and atmospheric pollution. The screening that trees can provide and the visual pleasure that they can give are valuable assets that should be protected. Tress are particularly vulnerable to damage during construction works and special measures are normally necessary to protect them.

Local people, community groups and schools can get involved in the planting, care maintenance and protection of trees. The Council, with the aid of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), are setting up a Tree Warden Scheme within the Borough. It hopes to promote public awareness of the importance of trees.

The scheme encourages people to enrol as Tree Wardens. They will learn about all aspects of trees, including the role of Tree Wardens, tree identification, tree biology, the basics of the law relating to trees, tree health and how they can help maintain, car for and protect trees. Free training will be provided at a series of seminars, organised by BTCV and the Council.

Tree Wardens have no special powers or authority, are NOT directly responsible for maintaining local trees. The amount of time they spend on their duties is entirely up to them, and their patch can be as big or small as is wished.

Tree Wardens gather information, report vandalism and accidental damage to trees, recognise, monitor and report diseases and their spread, and encourage the watering of trees. They also act as a local contact for Council Officers, encourage practical projects, such as tree planting and the care of trees, record the sites of cable-trenching near trees, and organise tree-planting days.

___ Page 11 ____ COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1998/9

President: Vacant

Chairman: Bob Akers

Vice Chairman: John Walkington

Acting Secretary: Bob Akers

Treasurer: John Walkington

Planning Officer: Owen Whalley

Minutes Secretary: Vacant

Editor: Derek Ritson

Transport Officer: Peter Mortimer

Highways Officer: Peter Mortimer

Membership Sec: Alyce Menhinnitt

Hon. Historian & Area Manager: Charles Hutchings

Area Manager: Arthur Taylor

___ Page 12 ____